by Laura Burton
“There’s a silent auction too,” Sam said with a mouthful of mushroom risotto.
“I already have plans. Say, shouldn’t we be going?” Anthony said gruffly as he looked at his smart watch. Sam glanced down at his own and jumped.
“Yikes, the show has already begun. Juliet––put this on my tab, will you?” Sam said as he discarded his fork with a clatter and the three gentlemen came to a stand. The chair legs scraped across the wooden floorboards; the sound made Edward flinch. A skinny blonde nodded to Sam with a slight curtesy and cleared the table.
“Yes sir,” she said in a formal tone. Edward padded his pant legs and pulled out his wallet.
“Anyone meeting us there? Is Harold in town?” he asked as he threw a stack of twenty-dollar notes on the table. The young server blushed at him as she retrieved the notes and stuffed them in her pocket.
Sam shook his head as they marched across the dimly lit restaurant and made for the glass doors.
“Didn’t you hear?” he asked as they climbed into the black limousine waiting outside. “Harold bought an island. He moved there a few months ago with his new wife. I guess the two of them got sick of the media attention.”
“Can you blame them? After all they went through. I’d do the same,” Anthony said, straightening his tie.
Edward whistled.
“I didn’t know,” he said simply. Harold’s relationship with Julie had been a whirlwind. The two of them went from “hello,” to “I do,” within a couple of months. Edward did not know all the details but from what he had heard, someone did not approve of their relationship and seemed determined to break them apart. The fiasco ended up with a huge media storm and everyone who knew Harold or Julie were bombarded with paparazzi and reporters for weeks. Edward had to hire out more security until it all died down.
“Good for them,” he added.
The gentlemen fell silent as the car navigated the busy streets. Edward’s mind returned to the woman he met on the bridge. Her wet hair clung to defined cheekbones, dripping to her exposed collarbone. Raindrops rested on her protruding bottom lip, giving it an irresistible shine. Her eyes were dark too. Deep and intense. The worry line between her brows told him she thought about things too much. He imagined her bent over a mahogany desk, pouring over research papers, a cup of steaming tea in her hands. The thought made him light-headed.
He wished he had gone against his word and followed her. How could he hope to find the gorgeous woman again in one of the largest cities in the world? All he had was a face and a first name. There was Sam’s deal to consider too. Surely, he should get a move on and find a woman to woo. But it was as if Cupid had struck and all he could think about was seeing Catherine again. He figured that Sam could keep his apartment; the deal didn’t seem quite so exciting after all. He had a new challenge. Find Catherine.
She believed in Fate. Serendipity. It made her all the more charming and mysterious. He wondered what wonderful adventures they would embark on together. If he could just find her.
As they entered the dark opera theatre and were shown into their private balcony, Edward prayed to an unknown entity. Not being a religious man.
Please, let me see her again.
The orchestra played a stirring piece and the most exquisite voice began to sing. The melody of her songbird voice seemed to weave into the music, as if the instruments and the singer were made for each other. Edward took his seat and pulled his jacket off, his heart fluttering at the music and a warmth spread across his chest.
“She’s amazing, isn’t she?” Anthony said with a broad grin on his usually grumpy face. Edward followed his line of sight and looked down at the stage. “That’s my cousin.”
A tall woman, wearing a long ivory gown that fanned out at the waist stood with her arms raised to the audience as she continued the song. Her body swayed and she craned her slender neck side to side as the most beautiful sound escaped her lips. Edward picked up the binoculars and focused in on the woman just as the song came to its heart-pounding crescendo. He moved his gaze from the bottom of the satin dress and inched up to her tiny waist. The bodice had a lace overlay with thousands of diamantes sparkling in the spotlights with her movements. He was dazzled.
Finally, he reached her face and blinked. His heart raced faster than he ever thought possible. He could hear his pulse thumping in his eardrums and his mouth turned dry.
“Sam,” he whispered harshly as he grabbed his friend’s arm, the binoculars glued to his eyes. For fear that if he looked away, she would vanish. Never to be seen again. “It’s her.”
Catherine.
The woman on the bridge was the star of the show. The New York sensation; Catherine Fisher. Anthony’s cousin.
Edward wasn’t sure if he wanted to jump for joy or weep as an overwhelming sense of gratitude filled every part of his body. He wondered, that maybe there was someone out there looking out for him, after all.
“We’re going backstage after the show, so be on your best behavior,” Anthony murmured to Edward who licked his dry lips and lowered the binoculars hesitantly to look at him. He bit against his grin and gave a curt nod. Then looked back at the stage as a new song began.
With every stirring moment of the show, Edward became lost in Catherine’s heavenly voice. Charmed. She had him completely under a spell, thinking he could achieve anything in the world. If he jumped off the balcony, he would surely fly. He might already be floating. The violin and cello added rich texture to the music and Catherine arched her back and her hands rose and fell with the highs and lows of the music. Like waves of the ocean.
Edward swallowed, his palms grew sweaty and he kept his eyes locked on her for the entire time she was on stage. Lost in a fairytale. Then he silently apologized to Harold.
I get it now.
When you know, you know.
Chapter Three
Hello again.
Catherine chugged down an entire pint of water before she slammed the glass jug on her dressing table and gasped for air.
“My throat is so dry. Suzie, can you top me up?” she said to the teenage girl standing beside her. Suzie’s wispy white hair stuck out from her tight bun and frizzed at the roots. She beamed and skipped away with the jug without another word. Catherine smiled to herself. Suzie had been volunteering at the theatre to get some work experience. It was not a glamorous job getting Catherine drinks, sweeping the stage, and putting the clothes back on the hangers. But Suzie seemed grateful for the opportunity and did all the mundane tasks with no complaints.
Josephine unfastened the clips on the back of Catherine’s dress and lowered the heavy material down her body. Catherine bent her spine and it cracked. Everything ached, even her jaw.
“I need a hot bath,” she sighed as she stretched her arms above her head and stepped out of the gown. Josephine picked up the dress and held it as if it was a newborn baby, then she draped it carefully over a chair.
“You deserve it,” she said as she passed Catherine her normal clothes. “It’s been a long month. London. Paris. Sydney. New York. Now it’s over, what’s next?” Josephine asked as Catherine dressed.
“I have a couple of gigs but most of the month off, then it’s back to the recording studio for the Christmas album,” she said with a sigh. Josephine’s sapphire eyes bulged as she gawped at Catherine.
“Christmas? It’s only March,” she said.
“Crazy, I know.”
Catherine smoothed out the creases in her white shirt and dabbed her moist brow with translucent powder as she studied her reflection. Josephine had expertly removed any evidence of her getting caught in the rain. She had dried her hair, smoothed it out and fashioned it into an oversized bun with loose curls falling down to her cheekbones. Her face was like a porcelain doll. With heavy rose blush on her cheeks, thick black false lashes and the boldest red lipstick Catherine had ever seen. She would not normally wear such heavy make-up, but the theatre lights were known to make performers look washed out.
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br /> “Here you are Miss Fisher,” Suzie said brightly as she placed a large drink of water in front of her. Catherine thanked her and looked at Josephine, her eyes wet and emotion building in her chest.
“This is our last night. It just hit me,” she said, pulling them both in for a group hug. Josephine broke away and wiped her big eyes underneath her spectacles with a sniff.
“Don’t. You’ll get me started,” she said. “And if I start crying, I won’t stop.”
Before Catherine could reply, the stage doors flung open and Louis came marching in, his arms spread open wide.
“Don’t forget me,” he said, waving his hands to pull everyone in for another hug. “Oh darling, you were a sensation. What a way to end the tour. Did you see? Everyone was on their feet.”
Catherine bowed her head humbly and blushed. She did notice. The wave of applause was still ringing in her ears. It was her favourite part. Getting a standing ovation was the sign that she had done what she set out to: made people feel something.
“Listen, I know you’re busy for the next couple of months, but I want to talk about giving you a full-time show. Right here at Lincoln Center,” Louis said at top speed.
“Oh Louis, that’s lovely, but I don’t know…”
Louis held up his hand and twirled his perfectly manicured fingernails at her.
“At least consider it. We can talk about it more when you’re back from L.A.”
Catherine’s life had been a whirlwind. She had been born and raised in New York; her parents sold their family home to pay for her education. She went to the best private school in the city and later got a scholarship at Princeton University. A scout picked her up shortly after graduation and she had been touring the world ever since. The idea of settling down in her home city had its appeal, but Catherine wasn’t sure she was ready. Or whether New York was the place to be. The city was big, yes. But knowing her ex-boyfriend walked the same streets sent shivers down her spine. She would forever be looking over her shoulder, wondering if she’d bump into him on a dark night.
That would not be good.
“I’ll have a think about it,” she said politely to Louis, who kissed her cheek.
“That is all I can hope for,” he said softly gazing into her eyes like a father would his favourite daughter. “Now, I must go. I promised the musicians VIP access to my brother’s club. Are you coming along?”
Before Catherine could answer, the stage door opened with a bang. Picture frames rattled against the wall. Catherine looked past Louis’ shocked face and beamed.
“You came!” she said, throwing her arms out. Anthony charged forward and trapped her in a bear hug.
“I wouldn’t miss your last night for anything. Well done Cathy, you should be proud of yourself,” he said in a booming voice as they broke apart. “I’ve brought some friends to meet you, hope that’s okay––”
Catherine was nodding along with a polite smile when her eyes caught sight of the last man she expected to see.
The Mechanic.
Her hands flew to her mouth with a sharp intake of breath and she stared at his face. A deep dimple appeared on his left cheek as he smiled bashfully back, his baby blues twinkling.
“This is Sam Ardent, he’s a friend from work,” Anthony continued unperturbed by Catherine’s reaction. A short stocky man with shiny blonde hair––carefully waxed to the side––stepped forward and offered his hand. She took it and glanced at the other man standing next to him.
“Great show,” Sam said. Catherine returned her gaze to him and bowed her head in thanks.
“And this here is Edward M––” Anthony began but Sam thrust his hand onto Edward’s chest and cut in.
“We call him Eddie, actually. He’s a good friend of mine. Always fixing up my cars.” He chortled nervously, his cheeks flushing, and Edward awkwardly scratched the back of his neck before reaching out and taking Catherine’s hand.
“Eddie, that’s cute,” Catherine said as they shook hands. She looked between the two men before turning to her cousin. There appeared to be an unspoken conversation going on. Anthony’s brows were raised as he stared at Sam, who grinned sheepishly back, while Edward shrugged and looked shiftily between the two of them.
“I need to get to the subway before it gets too late. Suzie, do you want to go together?” Josephine interjected tactfully as she nodded to Catherine and made eyes at Suzie, who nodded. Louis appeared frozen on the spot and incapable of finding his voice. He merely stood lamely at the side watching the exchange, like a spectator watching a big football game on a big screen.
“It’s nice to meet you all, but it’s been a very long month. If you don’t mind, I’m going to––” Catherine began, edging for the exit. She picked up her bag and gave a fake breathy laugh. Even though no one had told a joke.
What is he doing here? This is not happening, right?
Edward’s smile disappeared and he took a step forward hesitantly. Catherine jumped, like a prey suddenly aware of a predator advancing.
“Wait, I was going to ask, are you coming over to my mom’s this weekend?” Anthony said quickly.
“Can’t,” Catherine said, almost through gritted teeth. Her heartbeat accelerated and she wanted the ground to open up so she could crawl in. She never in her wildest dreams thought she would see Edward again. “I’m singing at the Climate Change event this weekend.”
Sam clapped and made a “oh ho!” noise, sounding uncannily like a Father Christmas who had just discovered a lost bag of presents.
“This is great, we’ll all be there,” he said, nudging Edward, who remained primed, looking almost ready to pounce, his baby blues focused only on Catherine. The intensity of his gaze had her stomach doing flips.
“You too right?” Sam said, looking at Edward. Edward’s eyes flickered to meet Sam’s for a brief moment before they flew back to settle on Catherine. He gave a small nod.
“Well, it looks like I’ll be having dinner with my mom alone this weekend,” Anthony said heavily.
“Good. That’s settled then,” Catherine said backing away further. She raised a tentative hand in the air, grabbed her jacket from the back of a chair and waved. “See you later, then.”
She turned and dashed out of the door.
“Catherine, wait.”
Catherine froze, her shoulders hunched slightly as she turned on the spot and found herself an inch away from Edward’s heaving chest. Even in the dim streetlamps, his perfectly white teeth shone back at her.
“You said if we happened to meet again, I could ask you––”
“If we happened to meet again. You clearly followed me,” Catherine cut in, stepping back and pulling on her jacket.
“What were you doing at my show? At $400 a seat, I can’t see how––”
“A poor mechanic can justify spending that money to listen to the most enchanting voice the world has ever known?” Edward said, reaching out for her hands. Catherine moved away and pursed her lips with disapproval.
“Hmm,” she said, not sure if he was being serious or facetious. Edward dropped his hands and looked defeated.
“It’s also my birthday,” he said quietly.
Catherine looked at the tall man. His perfectly tailored suit bulged at the arms and his dark hair was set in beautiful waves covering the top of his ears. She wondered what it would feel like to run her fingers through those waves.
“Oh. Happy Birthday,” Catherine said in a voice she didn’t think sounded like her own. “And you’re going to the Climate Change conference? Isn’t the ticket price insane?”
Edward chewed his lip and stuffed his hands in his pockets.
“Well, I know some people.”
“So, you’re passionate about saving the planet?” Catherine asked, folding her arms across her chest. The cool air picked up and chilled her as a large van passed by.
“Isn’t everyone?” Edward asked, sounding hopeful. “Meet me for breakfast.”
“Is that a demand?
” Catherine asked, stiffening.
Edward stared at her, his mouth hanging open slightly. Catherine guessed this might have been the first time a woman had not immediately fallen to his feet at his advances.
“Not at all. I would be honored…” he broke off and paced the sidewalk in thought. Catherine watched the deep look of concentration on his face as he scratched the back of his neck again. “I’m sorry,” he said as he came to a stop and looked at her imploringly. His baby blue eyes glowed in the light and for the first time, Catherine detected true sincerity.
“Your voice is the most heavenly sound I’ve ever heard. I think I’m still taken aback by it,” he said, resting a hand to his chest with fervor. Catherine smiled despite herself, allowing her resolve to fizzle away.
“I’m not a morning person,” she said frankly. “How about brunch?”
Edward grinned so widely it took over his whole face.
“I know the perfect place,” he said warmly. Catherine gave a nod and turned on her heel.
“Goodbye Eddie,” she said over her shoulder, then she stopped walking and turned back. “Do you want me to call you Eddie?” she asked, unsure.
“I’d prefer Edward… if it’s okay with you,” he said carefully. Catherine gave him a nod.
He wants to keep things formal; I like that.
“Well Edward, good night.” Catherine waited until she rounded the corner before she allowed her face to break into a grin.
Chapter Four
A Gentleman’s Deal
Edward did not need to guess twice what Sam was thinking as they pulled up outside his apartment. The deep line between his brows said it all. He did not approve of his choice.
“You can’t do this,” he said in a low voice. Edward unbuttoned his collar and sighed heavily.
“Too late,” he said frankly. Sam scrutinized Edward’s determined face with soul-piercing eyes.